Community Reviews

Right from the beginning real life war hero Harry Smith crackles with life & energy & for the most part, so did this book, other than one part where GH just seemed to show off her research skills. She obviously drew extensively on George Simmons diaries & I don't think most of his appearances drove the plot along much.

Juana Smith is well drawn & she is a fascinating mass of contradictions – brave, hardworking & loyal, but also jealous & petulant at times. I would have4.5*

Right from the beginning real life war hero Harry Smith crackles with life & energy & for the most part, so did this book, other than one part where GH just seemed to show off her research skills. She obviously drew extensively on George Simmons diaries & I don't think most of his appearances drove the plot along much.

Juana Smith is well drawn & she is a fascinating mass of contradictions – brave, hardworking & loyal, but also jealous & petulant at times. I would have given much to have been a witness to their real life travels – let's just say that neither of the Smiths believed in travelling light!

The reverse is true of Johnny Kincaid – I thought he was quite a major player in this book – maybe my memory was playing tricks on me because both he & Harry Smith appear in An Infamous ArmyI could only find a picture of him as an older man. Since I have wondered(view spoiler)[ if he Harry, & Juana inspired one of my favourite Heyer's,Cotillion. Like Kitty, Juana didn't choose the conventionally handsome man! (hide spoiler)] I would love to see a picture of him when young!

Harry & Juana's real life love story is well handled & GH doesn't shy away from showing that it was a marriage in every sense of the word, in spite of Juana's very young age (she was only 14 when they married.)

GH's great literary skill had me in tears at Daniel Cadoux's final appearance - & how badly his commanding officer Skerret allegedly let him down. I managed to find a picture of Cadoux in uniform.

Altogether, GH has done an amazing job of conveying not just the horror of war but also the banalities of needing to find lodgings, food & keeping the men in check.

I imagine these portraits of Harry & Juana would have been drawn in Paris just after the story ends. I also found some of them when older which shows the ones of them as young people were likely to be true to life.

After rereading both this & An Infamous Army, I'm wondering how many more of GH's straight historicals I was unfair to. In my younger years I only really liked The Conqueror.. In the case of this book & An Infamous Army this may have been down to various marketing people for her publishing houses not making it clear that the romance is only a small component of both books. They did GH a disservice.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>...more

HanaWhat a good discovery, Carol! I know how it feels when you just have too many books. I've got The Spanish Bride sitting on my desk, along with severalWhat a good discovery, Carol! I know how it feels when you just have too many books. I've got The Spanish Bride sitting on my desk, along with several book due up for buddy reads and meanwhile the heat wave has fried my brain :D...more
Jul 29, 2015 01:13PM

☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆Hana wrote: "What a good discovery, Carol! I know how it feels when you just have too many books. I've got The Spanish Bride sitting on my desk, alongHana wrote: "What a good discovery, Carol! I know how it feels when you just have too many books. I've got The Spanish Bride sitting on my desk, along with several book due up for buddy reads and meanwhile the ..."

I'm trying to pull back from committing to so much outside of GH & Mary Stewart reads. & the NZ group I belong to has a challenge that I can work in with what I want to read. :)...more
Jul 29, 2015 01:18PM

This barely fictionalized true story was so engaging I read Harry Smith's memoirs, and then Captain John Kincaids memoirs. Imagine my surprise when some of the dialog Heyer used was right out of their own pens! Not just a wonderful love story, but a great and exciting history of the Peninsular War and livestyle of Wellingtons officers and troops. Harry and Juana spent the rest of their lives together and she went on almost every posting he had in his long career. The town of Ladysmith South AfriThis barely fictionalized true story was so engaging I read Harry Smith's memoirs, and then Captain John Kincaids memoirs. Imagine my surprise when some of the dialog Heyer used was right out of their own pens! Not just a wonderful love story, but a great and exciting history of the Peninsular War and livestyle of Wellingtons officers and troops. Harry and Juana spent the rest of their lives together and she went on almost every posting he had in his long career. The town of Ladysmith South Africa is named for her. Sir Harry Smiths memoirs can be read on-line and Captain Kincaids are available from Amazon. This is the real Rifle Brigrade - Sharpe's Rifles had nothing on these guys....more

A Regency romance with the focus on Captain (Brigade-Major) Harry Smith and the Spanish bride he takes into his heart, Juana, at the end of the siege of Badajos. For a switch, the marriage takes place at the beginning of the story while their married life plays out against the Peninsular War of Napoleon versus Wellington.

You cannot pick up a novel or history of the Peninuslar War without some reference to Captain Harry Smith and his Juana. While most of the story is of the campaigns from the sieA Regency romance with the focus on Captain (Brigade-Major) Harry Smith and the Spanish bride he takes into his heart, Juana, at the end of the siege of Badajos. For a switch, the marriage takes place at the beginning of the story while their married life plays out against the Peninsular War of Napoleon versus Wellington.

You cannot pick up a novel or history of the Peninuslar War without some reference to Captain Harry Smith and his Juana. While most of the story is of the campaigns from the siege of Badajos up to Napoleon’s first abdication, the story of Harry and Juana swirls throughout providing us with an idea of how unusual it was for a well-born lady to “follow the drum”---the best comparisons are the reactions of Harry’s fellow officers and the soldiers in his brigade.

Spanish Bride is neither one nor the other. It’s not a strict romance nor is it a story about war and its battles. Rather, it’s a story of the friendships that form on a battlefield and the social activities that make it less brutal.

An excellent story for those interested in how Wellington’s officers saw him and in the culture, mores, and lifestyle of the day and day-to-day living from battlefield to battlefield....more

With this one, if you wade through the many paragraphs on fighting and history their is a really sweet story. The writing + dialog isn't Heyer's best, it reads more like a biography to me, and parts of it dragged. Although, the second half of the book gets much better and the battles more enjoyable to read. Even for just getting to see Heyer's research skills. Plus, if you like Heyer's Regencies, towards the end of the story, Juana hangs out in London + it reminds you of her other books just a bWith this one, if you wade through the many paragraphs on fighting and history their is a really sweet story. The writing + dialog isn't Heyer's best, it reads more like a biography to me, and parts of it dragged. Although, the second half of the book gets much better and the battles more enjoyable to read. Even for just getting to see Heyer's research skills. Plus, if you like Heyer's Regencies, towards the end of the story, Juana hangs out in London + it reminds you of her other books just a bit.

The meeting of the two main characters is sweet + how they quickly marry. Heyer depicts the funny misunderstandings of being very young and married. Especially, married in the military. It definitely has some 1930s, 1940s classic movie influences about it. It's not a funny Heyer story, just a well researched, simple war/love story. Its also very matter of fact and gritty, unlike Heyer's Regencies stories.

I do think that Heyer's writing is always strong and her research shows. Her research of the battles and of the characters is very well done. I love Spain and the whole subject of Waterloo and the Peninsula war is kind of crazy and interesting to read. You may have to skim a bit, but its still worth reading if you come into it thinking of it as a biography like story, with grit. Its got heart too, and Heyer's ability to take a story places is really enjoyable. Really, the passion of the two main characters carry the story. Heyer portrays the intensity of Waterloo perfectly. The end writing is stunning. ...more

This is not my favorite Heyer (that would be Devil's Cub, The Grand Sophy, or Sylvester), but it is definitely my favorite war book. Even Heyer's An Infamous Army, which could be considered a sequel to this one with its focus on Waterloo and is so accurate that the cadets at Sandhurst reportedly read it as a battle study, cannot hold a candle to this one in terms of making the business of war accessible to non-soldiers.

Based on the first part of Sir Harry Smith's diaries and every other memoirThis is not my favorite Heyer (that would be Devil's Cub, The Grand Sophy, or Sylvester), but it is definitely my favorite war book. Even Heyer's An Infamous Army, which could be considered a sequel to this one with its focus on Waterloo and is so accurate that the cadets at Sandhurst reportedly read it as a battle study, cannot hold a candle to this one in terms of making the business of war accessible to non-soldiers.

Based on the first part of Sir Harry Smith's diaries and every other memoir of the Peninsular War that came into Heyer's hands, it follows the British Army from Badajos to Toulouse and on to Waterloo through the story of Harry Smith and his child bride, Juana Ponce de Leon. They met, fell in love, and married when she was barely 14 and he was 25 and remained together and passionately attached all their lives.

Yet this is not one of Heyer's famed Regency romances. The focus is on the battles—the planning, the campaigns, the mistakes and successes, the camaraderie of men facing death together, the courage and resourcefulness of the women who accompanied the troops in an age when ladies were supposed to stay at home and embroider pretty handkerchiefs for their fighting husbands. In Heyer's skilled hands, it's a trip worth taking, even—or perhaps especially—if you are a reader who would normally never pick up a book about war....more

Although Georgette Heyer is principally known for writing a large number of sparkling Regency Romances and Comedies of Manners, she also wrote a number of mysteries and several books of historical fiction based on real events. One of the best known of these is An Infamous Army, which is said to include some of the most well-researched descriptions of the Battle of Waterloo, and which, as a result, is (or was) a set text at Sandhurst!I've given this a B+ for narration and a B- for content at AAR

Although Georgette Heyer is principally known for writing a large number of sparkling Regency Romances and Comedies of Manners, she also wrote a number of mysteries and several books of historical fiction based on real events. One of the best known of these is An Infamous Army, which is said to include some of the most well-researched descriptions of the Battle of Waterloo, and which, as a result, is (or was) a set text at Sandhurst! The Spanish Bride is in a similar vein, although whereas in Army the principal characters are fictional, Brigade-Major Harry Smith and his young bride Juana actually existed, as did the other characters in the book. This is one of the few of Georgette Heyer’s novels that I haven’t yet read, so I came to it without really knowing much about the story, other than that it’s very firmly based in fact, and that much of the dialogue and detail about the events within are taken directly from Harry Smith’s autobiography.

The story quickly introduces Harry – brash, young, impetuous but a superb soldier and leader of men, one of those who yells “Come on!” to his men and fights at their side rather than an officer who sits back and lets them get on with it. He’s already acquired a reputation for being indestructible – he’s escaped so many battles relatively unscathed that he’s practically a legend.

Shortly after the siege and fall of Badajoz, he and a fellow officer are approached by a Spanish noblewoman who asks for their protection for her younger sister, Juana, who is just fourteen. Immediately struck by her beauty, Harry is smitten and insists on marrying her as it’s the only way he can keep her safe. Juana only has eyes for Harry, too, and the pair is quickly married, to the astonishment - and against the advice - of many of Harry’s friends and colleagues.

This is so not what I expected. The foreword had warned me and I should have put back this book on its virtual shelf then.The strength of Georgette Heyer regards historical romance is her ability to twist the plot, to involve too many melding and interfering characters, all that written in a light and rather humoristic tone, that makes it all generally a fluffy but highly entertaining romantic comedy.In this case, this is not too be expected.Georgette Heyer had most probably been enthralled by tThis is so not what I expected. The foreword had warned me and I should have put back this book on its virtual shelf then.The strength of Georgette Heyer regards historical romance is her ability to twist the plot, to involve too many melding and interfering characters, all that written in a light and rather humoristic tone, that makes it all generally a fluffy but highly entertaining romantic comedy.In this case, this is not too be expected.Georgette Heyer had most probably been enthralled by the story of Harry Smith and Juana, during the peninsular campaign and wanted to share that with her readers. She obviously had done a lot of research regards the details through which the campaign took place, the characters involved, some aspects of the day to day life of a company during a campaign, as well as about the characters.Unfortunately she did not manage to make something interesting out of it. The characters do not seem to evolve much during the story; a large part of the story is taken by frankly boring description of the campaign. There are too many characters; many of them do not manage to turn from historical icon to a real flesh and blood character. The tone alternating some witty dialogues between Harry and Juana and more serious and long, very long description seem quite off. However those dialogues and their interactions are clearly more interesting than the background war that takes 95% of the content.I do not recommend this book.Neither to Georgette Heyer's fans, neither to history and war addicts....more

God, between this and An Infamous Army, I sometimes feel like Georgette Heyer is a kindred spirit indeed. Her books on the Peninsular War are just... brilliant.

The Spanish Bride is nominally about the true story of Juana and Brigade-Major Harry Smith, and she brings them to life as very colorful and complex characters, but the book is high-jacked by the backdrop--a rich description of every battle in Wellington's campaign from Badajos to Toulouse in which the Light Division took part. Heyer readGod, between this and An Infamous Army, I sometimes feel like Georgette Heyer is a kindred spirit indeed. Her books on the Peninsular War are just... brilliant.

The Spanish Bride is nominally about the true story of Juana and Brigade-Major Harry Smith, and she brings them to life as very colorful and complex characters, but the book is high-jacked by the backdrop--a rich description of every battle in Wellington's campaign from Badajos to Toulouse in which the Light Division took part. Heyer read every extant journal by the soldiers of the Light Division and researched the battles thoroughly, so that the effortless details which she brings to her Regency novels can also be found here.

I think Heyer had the same crush on Wellington as a girl that I did; I love the choice quotes she drops in our laps.

[...:] The hollow road was the Spaniards' undoing. Scrambling down into it, they found that its high banks protected them from the artillery-fire. They lost the impetus of their first gallant rush; courage had time to cool: and not all the exertions of the officers would force them to face the murderous fire again. As soon as Villatte saw that they were not going to continue their advance he sent his infantry forward from the trenches to pour a deadly musketry-fire into the hollow road. This was more than the Spaniards could bear. One regiment only, of Morilla's division, stood its ground; the rest flew back pell-mell to the slopes of the Pujade.

Colborne, himself slightly wounded in the flesh of his arm by a splinter of shell, called out: 'Yes, yes, let them go, and clear our fronts! Quick George! Throw the regiment into open column of companies, and let the Spaniards pass through!'

This was done; Barnard flung his brigade forward to cover the retreat, and the French, seeing the Light division moving to the attack, abandoned the pursuit, and retired again to their entrenchments.

'By God, won't old Douro be in a rage!' exclaimed Charlie Beckwith.

But his lordship, watching the rout of the Spaniards with his brother-in-law, the Adjutant-General, beside him, had given a whoop of sudden laughter, and slapped his thigh. 'Well, damme if ever I saw ten thousand men run a race before!' he declared. 'Now, what's to be done? There I am, with nothing between me and the enemy!'

'Well, I suppose you'll order up the Light division now!' said Pakenham.

I never know what to expect from a Heyer novel because she was such a prolific writer. This one was frankly disappointing. It's pretty much a four-hundred-page history text about the Peninsular War (1808-1814), and Wellington's many victories against the French. The protagonists--Brigade-Major Harry Smith and his fourteen-year-old bride, Juana--are engaging, but (largely because this is based in fact, not fiction) they never develop or do much of anything except fall in love and survive a long sI never know what to expect from a Heyer novel because she was such a prolific writer. This one was frankly disappointing. It's pretty much a four-hundred-page history text about the Peninsular War (1808-1814), and Wellington's many victories against the French. The protagonists--Brigade-Major Harry Smith and his fourteen-year-old bride, Juana--are engaging, but (largely because this is based in fact, not fiction) they never develop or do much of anything except fall in love and survive a long string of battles. From a historical standpoint this novel is fascinating, but from a fictional standpoint I found it highly boring....more

Muuyyyyyyyy Bieeeeeeeeenn ! Oh god ! This book ! This book was a gift from god to me, I didn't even plan to buy it. It just sort of came to me. Alas ! The adventure it took me on is now over ! It took to 2 weeks to read this but it was worth it !

Time consuming ? yes. Hard/old vocabulary ? Yes. Too much history in it ? Yes.In some reviews these are marked as negatives of the book ! Are you serious ? This is exactly what is suppose be in historical romantic classic fiction !

Georgette Heyer didMuuyyyyyyyy Bieeeeeeeeenn ! Oh god ! This book ! This book was a gift from god to me, I didn't even plan to buy it. It just sort of came to me. Alas ! The adventure it took me on is now over ! It took to 2 weeks to read this but it was worth it !

Time consuming ? yes. Hard/old vocabulary ? Yes. Too much history in it ? Yes.In some reviews these are marked as negatives of the book ! Are you serious ? This is exactly what is suppose be in historical romantic classic fiction !

Georgette Heyer did an amazing job on this one ! Made me her fan, I can't wait to read all of her books ( which are plenty) ! It's hard to believe she wasn't actually in the war with all the characters, the accuracy & the brilliance of describing environment and everything that happens around is just great ! You can really be there and feel the enjoyment,hunger,heavy rains,floods and what not ! The characters ( even the trivial ones ) were brilliantly created ! ...more

While I enjoy Heyer's historical romances, the books which are based on actual people and events are my favorites -- The Spanish Bride, Royal Escape, My Lord John (though unfinished), and to a certain extent An Infamous Army and The Conquerer (though unlike the first 3, the last 2 focus around fictional characters as well as real people). I am a lover of English history, and Heyer does her research and knows her stuff; then she uses her knowledge and skill to bring the characters and events fromWhile I enjoy Heyer's historical romances, the books which are based on actual people and events are my favorites -- The Spanish Bride, Royal Escape, My Lord John (though unfinished), and to a certain extent An Infamous Army and The Conquerer (though unlike the first 3, the last 2 focus around fictional characters as well as real people). I am a lover of English history, and Heyer does her research and knows her stuff; then she uses her knowledge and skill to bring the characters and events from history to life. One of her most exciting books; I couldn't put it down. Might not be as interesting to someone who doesn't care for history....more

The title and description of this book are misleading. For while it is indeed the story of a Spanish Bride, it is also a detailed history of the War in the Peninsula. I'd say about 10-15 percent of the book is the love story of Harry Smith, English officer, and his wife Juana, Spanish noblewoman; but about 85-90% of it is a detailed account of Wellington's battles, troop movements, and strategies in the war against Napoleon. It's a fascinating book with excellent details on the war and the lifeThe title and description of this book are misleading. For while it is indeed the story of a Spanish Bride, it is also a detailed history of the War in the Peninsula. I'd say about 10-15 percent of the book is the love story of Harry Smith, English officer, and his wife Juana, Spanish noblewoman; but about 85-90% of it is a detailed account of Wellington's battles, troop movements, and strategies in the war against Napoleon. It's a fascinating book with excellent details on the war and the life of an Army officer in that era, and I really enjoyed it; but if you're looking for a typical historical romance it won't be your cup of tea....more

I normally really enjoy Georgette Heyer's work, but I couldn't make it through this book. With 480 pages, I just quit at page 270 because the thought of slogging through 200 more pages was too much considering how many other books are out there. I think the problem is that this time the author got too bogged down in the historical army life detail, and it seemed like the "romance" and relationship between Juana and Harry was pretty much a sidenote. I won't let it detract me from reading more ofI normally really enjoy Georgette Heyer's work, but I couldn't make it through this book. With 480 pages, I just quit at page 270 because the thought of slogging through 200 more pages was too much considering how many other books are out there. I think the problem is that this time the author got too bogged down in the historical army life detail, and it seemed like the "romance" and relationship between Juana and Harry was pretty much a sidenote. I won't let it detract me from reading more of her books though since I usually enjoy them!...more

Harry and Juana seem destined to kill each other half the time in this romance of the Peninsular War by Georgette Heyer. She is young, naive in some ways, but a real trouper in following the drum, and I liked that about her even as I doubted I would be the same.

Based on the letters of the real Brigade Major Harry Smith, this give some of the history of the Peninsular War and as little as I usually enjoy war stories, I enjoyed this. I read that at one time it was used in military schools as a prHarry and Juana seem destined to kill each other half the time in this romance of the Peninsular War by Georgette Heyer. She is young, naive in some ways, but a real trouper in following the drum, and I liked that about her even as I doubted I would be the same.

Based on the letters of the real Brigade Major Harry Smith, this give some of the history of the Peninsular War and as little as I usually enjoy war stories, I enjoyed this. I read that at one time it was used in military schools as a primer on the Peninsular campaigns....more

...for all the gritty details about how war was actually fought where there were cavalry regiments and riflemen marching to war...as usual, without talking history, Heyer presents slice of history in all its vivid detail.

I knew going in that this was not a light Regency like so many of Heyer's best books. But I found Heyer's account of the Battle of Waterloo in An Infamous Army not only entertaining but educational,, so thought I would give this a try as well. And if you like your historical fiction heavy on history and light on plot, you will like this book.

Interestingly, unlike An Infamous Army, where the main characters were fictional but surrounded by real historical figures, in this book, even the main chaI knew going in that this was not a light Regency like so many of Heyer's best books. But I found Heyer's account of the Battle of Waterloo in An Infamous Army not only entertaining but educational,, so thought I would give this a try as well. And if you like your historical fiction heavy on history and light on plot, you will like this book.

Interestingly, unlike An Infamous Army, where the main characters were fictional but surrounded by real historical figures, in this book, even the main characters were real people. And it sounds like they were fascinating people, or at least they led a fascinating life together. Sir Harry Smith seems to be a real life Forest Gump or Zelig. He somehow managed to be on every continent and just in time to be in every major battle over the course of 30 years. He must have spent half his life on ships. And while I am sure Heyer embellished Lady Smith's character somewhat, the fact that she was a 14 year old war orphan just out of a Spanish convent when she met and married Harry Smith, that she followed Harry throughout his soldier's career and that there are so many towns named after her in Africa makes her a fascinating creature.

It gets a little dry as we slog through battle after battle in Portugal, Spain and France during the Peninsula war, but Heyer infused the journey with humor and graphic descriptions of the conditions.

I did not enjoy this as much as my favorite Heyer novels, but I found it very readable. I recommend.

I don't think many authors can claim the diversity and sheer body of work that Heyer can, and each piece is a gem. I started reading her books as a teen, and i love all of them even today. Worn them all ragged, and was so happy when all of them appeared on store racks with new covers. Refurbished the entire collection. I think in order to be a truly great author, one must have a facility with words, but also the subject matter must be dear to one, and must be real to one. Heyer's clear love of hI don't think many authors can claim the diversity and sheer body of work that Heyer can, and each piece is a gem. I started reading her books as a teen, and i love all of them even today. Worn them all ragged, and was so happy when all of them appeared on store racks with new covers. Refurbished the entire collection. I think in order to be a truly great author, one must have a facility with words, but also the subject matter must be dear to one, and must be real to one. Heyer's clear love of history, romance and what was an overwhelming time in England's past, comes across powerfully. This reverence for her subject matter is seen both in her cameo and main characters. Harry Smith, Juana, Charlie Beckwith, Cadoux, Kincaid, i love all of them. Unlike most romances, she hasn't just focused of the relationship between the Harry and Juana, but their surrounding circumstances and those events in history,which play as big a role in the narrative of the book. I think this book is must read for anyone with a love of period drama, war and romance. ...more

During the Napoleonic wars, Brigade-Major Harry Smith falls in love with a fourteen year old Spanish gentlewoman. They marry immediately, and Juana follows the army around, being adorable and very brave. For someone who has read a good number of Heyer books, this is an odd turn from the usual. Harry and Juana were real people, and all the supporting cast and plot is a matter of historical record. Heyer has clearly exhaustively researched their lives and the battles they were involved in. In factDuring the Napoleonic wars, Brigade-Major Harry Smith falls in love with a fourteen year old Spanish gentlewoman. They marry immediately, and Juana follows the army around, being adorable and very brave. For someone who has read a good number of Heyer books, this is an odd turn from the usual. Harry and Juana were real people, and all the supporting cast and plot is a matter of historical record. Heyer has clearly exhaustively researched their lives and the battles they were involved in. In fact, she seems more interested in the war than in her ostensible main characters--whole pages go by that are purely about troop movements. It's not as much frothy fun as her usual Regency romps, but it was actually a refreshing change to read a Heyer hero who isn't a paragon, a heroine who isn't perfection, and a reasonably plausible plot. ...more

This is a true story about a couple who literally fell in love at first sight, which sounds like it would make a good romance novel, except of course it doesn't. You need progression in a relationship to make a romance story work, and getting married in the first 30 pages and then staying happily married doesn't really cut it. You get left with 'oh and then they had to be apart for a while, and they were both sad'.

So what you're left with in this book is a rather interesting story of Wellington'This is a true story about a couple who literally fell in love at first sight, which sounds like it would make a good romance novel, except of course it doesn't. You need progression in a relationship to make a romance story work, and getting married in the first 30 pages and then staying happily married doesn't really cut it. You get left with 'oh and then they had to be apart for a while, and they were both sad'.

So what you're left with in this book is a rather interesting story of Wellington's Peninsula campaign and Waterloo, with more little fascinating details of battles and personalities than you could shake a stick at. Which definitely more than makes up for any deficiencies in the romance department... plus there's always all the other Heyers for that. Yay!...more

Not the usual fluff... it's actually more of a biography of Harry and Juana (real people, real events).... not sure I'm in the mood for so much "real" right now.

It actually starts with Badajoz... interesting.

hmm... amid all those excessive horrors of war being perpetrated all around them, I, as a reader, am expected to sympathize with the plight of the poor dear girl our h, whose claim to our attention is a protective elder sister, high ranking family and doe like beauty.

I have always wonderedNot the usual fluff... it's actually more of a biography of Harry and Juana (real people, real events).... not sure I'm in the mood for so much "real" right now.

It actually starts with Badajoz... interesting.

hmm... amid all those excessive horrors of war being perpetrated all around them, I, as a reader, am expected to sympathize with the plight of the poor dear girl our h, whose claim to our attention is a protective elder sister, high ranking family and doe like beauty.

I have always wondered why Wellington is given such encomium's. It would have been treasonous (not to mention morale crushing) for any of his juniors to say bad of him. But for all that, he was good general and a good tactician (though in any victory, the credit would go to his subordinates, and not just him). I just don't find that much in his character or personal life to have any good opinion of those.

H flirts with pretty young women, h comes and slaps him, H says he'll flirt with whoever he wants, h says she'll leave him, H says he would be glad to be rid of her. rinse repeat. What a lovely couple.

I find it wonderful the way Wellington, Prince Regent are so respected by the authors, while at the same time admitting their little foibles. Nowhere in evidence is such respect when they denounce heads of state and leaders from other nationalities. wonderful

Btw, not a single mention of religion? It's more likely that the H's family were not papists, while the h most likely is....more

Like An Infamous Army, this was a tough book for me. I knew going into this that it was one of Heyer's historical novels (that is, based on real historical figures, rather than pure fiction), and that as such, it was likely to be very different from her usual light fare.

This was, in fact, the case.

The story is not primarily one of courtship and related shenanigans; it is the story of the Peninsular War as seen by the Light Brigade in Wellington's army, and the everyday experiences of the army.Like An Infamous Army, this was a tough book for me. I knew going into this that it was one of Heyer's historical novels (that is, based on real historical figures, rather than pure fiction), and that as such, it was likely to be very different from her usual light fare.

This was, in fact, the case.

The story is not primarily one of courtship and related shenanigans; it is the story of the Peninsular War as seen by the Light Brigade in Wellington's army, and the everyday experiences of the army. The characters are all delightful, drawn in Heyer's usual style, and easy to envision (and also to love). Fortunately, very few of the characters I came to love are killed in the course of the war.

I really loved this book, and the story it tells...but it took me a solid three weeks to get through, because the detailed descriptions of battle after battle and troop movements and supply lines and all of that were slow going. I may go looking for other histories of the war against Napoleon, and then come back to this when I have a better understanding of it....more

I was a perfect fiend for Georgette Heyer as a young girl, possibly because her Regency bucks and Ladies of Quality spar like Katharine Hepburn and Soencer Tracy (and indeed Heyer was writing from the '20s to the '50s). I still find Heyer to be miles above all the bodice rippers who've tried to imitate her style. So I turned to this one as a comfort read while I was sick. It's based on a true story of Juana Smith, a highborn fourteen-year-old Spanish girl who married an English officer the firstI was a perfect fiend for Georgette Heyer as a young girl, possibly because her Regency bucks and Ladies of Quality spar like Katharine Hepburn and Soencer Tracy (and indeed Heyer was writing from the '20s to the '50s). I still find Heyer to be miles above all the bodice rippers who've tried to imitate her style. So I turned to this one as a comfort read while I was sick. It's based on a true story of Juana Smith, a highborn fourteen-year-old Spanish girl who married an English officer the first day she met him and traveled with him on campaign throughout the Napoleonic war. I understand Heyer researched it scrupulously and all the info about the battles is perfectly accurate. I still skipped most of that this time. But the biggest treat was finding Harry Smith's memoirs available online. I could see that Heyer even used every line of dialogue she could from Smith's memoirs, which must be why it feels so alive. ...more

The Spanish Bride was a big surprise for me! While it is in part a romance, it's one of the most detailed historical works I have read in recent years (historical fiction and non-fiction). The way in which Georgette Heyer details the Peninsular Wars woven with the romance provides a vivid picture of life on the battle front. I really felt as though I were there on the front lines and travelling with the regiments!

Based on the autobiography of General Harry Smith this is an account of the Peninsula War with the romanatic stroy of how Harry met and married his wife at the same time. It gives a very immidiate feeling of life in Wellington's army where life is short and tough. Georgette Heyer was a terrible snob but once the reader gets past that she has a great gift for story telling.

The Spanish Bride is one of Heyer's Regency novels, but unlike the others we are not in the social whirl of the Ton. Most of the action takes place during the Penninsular War and Harry and Juana are real historical characters. I did enjoy this, but it might not be what you are expecting.

I randomly chose a Heyer book off the library shelf labeled romance hoping for the best. Obviously that hope had me read more than I should have. I think this book would only be interesting to you if you like reading about war, we're interested in the time period, these people were your ancestors,mor you had plenty of time on your hands. There is not plot other than they go traipsing about Spain fighting Napoleans army. There love has almost no struggle, there is essentially no antagonist....I dI randomly chose a Heyer book off the library shelf labeled romance hoping for the best. Obviously that hope had me read more than I should have. I think this book would only be interesting to you if you like reading about war, we're interested in the time period, these people were your ancestors,mor you had plenty of time on your hands. There is not plot other than they go traipsing about Spain fighting Napoleans army. There love has almost no struggle, there is essentially no antagonist....I don't see how this can be called a romance. It was incredibly boring. I found myself hoping there would be an affair, a significant death, something, anything to move this book along....more

This is not your usual Georgette Heyer, so quite glad I didn't buy it. I picked it up at a Bookcrossing meet on the strength of the title and author and didn't read the blurb, so was rather taken aback when I started.Like War and Peace (I know, what a comparison, but bear with me) it mixes military history with the relationships of those involved in the campaigns - in this case of the Peninsular War and Waterloo, so even the same time period. The more personal part is the story of Juana who, atThis is not your usual Georgette Heyer, so quite glad I didn't buy it. I picked it up at a Bookcrossing meet on the strength of the title and author and didn't read the blurb, so was rather taken aback when I started.Like War and Peace (I know, what a comparison, but bear with me) it mixes military history with the relationships of those involved in the campaigns - in this case of the Peninsular War and Waterloo, so even the same time period. The more personal part is the story of Juana who, at 14, marries Harry Smith and becomes the darling of the regiment. She refuses to leave her 'saviour' of a husband behind and, in spite of her age and lack of experience of the world, proves remarkable strong-willed and capable. Apparently all of that is true too - even some of the conversations, say other reviewers, have been lifted from contemporary diaries.So, if you go in expecting a Regency Romance you'll be disappointed, but if you accept it as an early example of biofic it's not bad at all. ...more

Only wish to note a few things. Most of the time I seem to see this book listed among Heyer's romances, specifically her Regency Romances. After reading the book, I'm slightly confused by that. Since the book is based on real people, with lots and lots of research on them and on the war against Napoleon in Portugal, Spain, France, and Waterloo. And it isn't like the other Heyer romances, well most. There's a marriage, and it happens almost immediately (a few other books start off that way, but tOnly wish to note a few things. Most of the time I seem to see this book listed among Heyer's romances, specifically her Regency Romances. After reading the book, I'm slightly confused by that. Since the book is based on real people, with lots and lots of research on them and on the war against Napoleon in Portugal, Spain, France, and Waterloo. And it isn't like the other Heyer romances, well most. There's a marriage, and it happens almost immediately (a few other books start off that way, but those aren't love matches but marriages of convenience, while this one is a love match). The book focuses on both the man and woman, but mostly on the battles.

The second thing I wanted to note was the constant use of foreign language in the quotes. In and of itself, it isn't that annoying. It's the concept, or situation. Roughly 75% of the book, Harry and Juana speak to each other in Spanish, and sometimes in French. Never, until later, and for one or two words here or there, in English. Harry thought that there was no importance, at all, for Juana to learn English. So he didn't set about to teach her. He knew Spanish fluently. She was native Spanish. And they both knew French. So, he felt it wasn't important for her to learn English. So . . . the annoying quote thing? Harry and Juana are speaking Spanish to each other, and/or French. Luckily, for me at least, most of what they say is translated into English. And that's the annoying thing. They are not speaking mixed Spanish English. They are speaking fluent Spanish to each other. So why the bloody hell is the reader presented with mixed Spanish-English chats?

As I say in one of my status updates: Yeah, it's really bloody important to hide "my heart my soul" behind "alma mia di mi corazon". Instead of, you know, having it be 'Not a bit. Kiss me, my heart my soul' the book has it as 'Not a bit. Kiss me, alma mia di mi corazón.' I suppose I should just be grateful that it isn't all in Spanish, eh? 'No es un poco. Bésame, mi corazón mi alma. ' Since, you know, they are speaking Spanish to each other. Not mixed languages. Much later Juana does pick up English from tutors. And again there are conversations with mixed languages tossed around, quoted. That part is a lot less annoying, because I imagine that Juana did speak mixed Spanish-English in those moments. Makes perfect sense there. No sense at all earlier in the book to have it be mixed.

Oh, and just to complete the picture, translations are not provided. At least I don't recall any. I had to look up 'alma mia di mi corazón'. I was not in position to look up any of the other bits of non-English text.

My last Heyer romance not yet completed or dnf'd. And it turns out to be a historical fiction, not a historical fiction romance.

The dnf'd comment - Heyer is probably the author with the most books I've rated 5 stars, and, separately, the author with the most books I did not finish (dnf). I have 46 of Heyer's books on my shelves. 11 rated 5 stars. 3 started but did not finish. That would be 3 of the 24 books on my DNF shelf are by Heyer.

I've now read or dnf'd all of Heyer's mysteries, and historical romances. The contemporary romances she wrote got almost immediately suppressed by her, so I don't think I'll find them. I only have her Historicals left that are findable. None of them looked that interesting to me but maybe I'll read them. ...more

The beginning was the hardest: there was an insane amount of information to grasp as far as names, places, military terminology, and historical references. It would put me to sleep so fast, that it took weeks just to get through the first few chapters!

One night I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep, so I thought, "I know just the trick!" It was then, of course, that the story finally came to life and I couldn't put it down.

It wasn't like that all the way throNo lie, this book was a struggle.

The beginning was the hardest: there was an insane amount of information to grasp as far as names, places, military terminology, and historical references. It would put me to sleep so fast, that it took weeks just to get through the first few chapters!

One night I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep, so I thought, "I know just the trick!" It was then, of course, that the story finally came to life and I couldn't put it down.

It wasn't like that all the way through, but it really was an extraordinary view into the culture of military campaigning during the Napoleonic Wars. So interesting!

Even more so for all the diaries and historical accounts she pulled it all from. It must have been a Herculean effort to sift through all of it and condense it into a single narrative. Definitely explains why the book seems to go on forever, too.

If nothing else, this should be required reading for anyone claiming to be a Regency aficionados because it's the first book (that I've seen, at least) that gives you some real context for the period, as well as casting a whole new light on many of the male characters in both Heyer's and Austen's works. I'm anxious to reread them with this new perspective....more

This was the first Georgette Heyer book that I attempted to read. I love historical fiction and her name came up in my recommendations, so off I went to the library. Perhaps this wasn't the best one to start with but it's all that was on the shelf. An underage Spanish girl of good blood throws herself on the mercy of a dashing English officer and then happily keeps house for him. Who cares if it's based on a true story and was thoroughly researched: I abandoned the book within the first 100 pageThis was the first Georgette Heyer book that I attempted to read. I love historical fiction and her name came up in my recommendations, so off I went to the library. Perhaps this wasn't the best one to start with but it's all that was on the shelf. An underage Spanish girl of good blood throws herself on the mercy of a dashing English officer and then happily keeps house for him. Who cares if it's based on a true story and was thoroughly researched: I abandoned the book within the first 100 pages!...more

Georgette Heyer was an amazingly prolific writer who created the Regency England genre of romance novels.

Georgette Heyer was an intensely private person. A best-seller all her life without the aid of publicity, she made no appearances, never gave an interview, and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. Heyer wrote very well-researched historical fiction, fuGeorgette Heyer was an amazingly prolific writer who created the Regency England genre of romance novels.

Georgette Heyer was an intensely private person. A best-seller all her life without the aid of publicity, she made no appearances, never gave an interview, and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. Heyer wrote very well-researched historical fiction, full of all you could ever want: romance, fashion, upper classes, cross-dressing, arranged marriages, murder, intrigue, cant language, sarcasm and humour!

Walk into any second-hand bookshop and they will know her name and may even know that she wrote her third book under the pseudonym of Stella Martin. In fact, you usually find that many people have read at least one of her books....more